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      Abortion rights supporters in Ohio

      Ohio Voters Used Direct Democracy to Defend Abortion Rights

      Tuesday’s vote has broader implications for direct democracy and its ability to reshape state policy across the country.

      Alice Clapman
      Nov 09, 2023

      Ohio voters amended their state constitution Tuesday to protect reproductive rights, including the right to abortion. They also passed a law legalizing marijuana possession and use by adults 21 and older. This watershed election underscores the vital role that direct democracy plays in enabling voters to shape their own laws when their elected representatives ignore their preferences.

      To enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution by passing Issue One, proponents had to overcome multiple hurdles thrown up in the past several months by anti-abortion politicians. They also had to overcome voters’ general reluctance to change the constitution: In the past 15 years, out of more than 60 campaigns in Ohio, only three amendments had passed before this one.

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      Opinion
      ohio
      Opponents of Issue 1 hold a demonstration

      Defend Direct Democracy to Save Abortion Access

      For years, extremists and the special interests who fund them have made it clear that they are willing to shut down the use of ballot measures if it means making short-term gains to restrict progress on issues like reproductive rights.

      Hannah Ledford
      Sep 01, 2023

      Early last month, Ohioans delivered a resounding victory for both reproductive rights and democracy. Voters handily rejected Issue 1, a bad-faith effort to limit voters’ right to propose and enact their constitutional amendments—like the one headed to the ballot this November to ensure Ohioans have control over their reproductive freedoms.

      The proposal would have undone majority rule in Ohio, allowing just 41% of voters to veto the will of the majority. It also would have required petitioners to collect signatures in all 88 counties to qualify a measure, effectively giving a single county veto power over an entire ballot question.

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      Opinion
      ballot initiatives
      ​Abortion rights defenders attend a rally in Dayton, Ohio

      'Inspiring': Abortion Rights Amendment Backed by 700,000+ Ohioans on Track for November Vote

      "This overwhelming show of support for reproductive freedom by Ohio voters is historic," said one advocate.

      Kenny Stancil
      Jul 05, 2023

      A nonpartisan coalition on Wednesday submitted more than 700,000 signatures from Ohio residents across all 88 counties in a bid to qualify a referendum on whether to enshrine reproductive rights and abortion access in the state constitution.

      Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, which is backed by the Fairness Project, seeks to ensure that the Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety Amendment is on the ballot for the November 2023 election.

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